Well everyone, my game has arrived in the mail. I installed it along with the update and created a new character to try that out. He is a barbarian, half orc. I am in the dungeon area and have picked up Imoen, Jaheira and Minsc. The walkthru says that Imoen will be leaving soon?? When that happens, who do I find to replace her? And what about Minsc? Do I keep him or look for a better npc after I leave the dungeon? I enjoy the music better than with bg1 and all of the choices for sub classes. I am on my way now to locate Rielev and get the Stone Activation key.

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Keep smiling and the world will smile with you.-------------------

If memory serves me there is a mage/thief named Nalia somewhere or there is a thief called Jan Jensen. Nalia seem to be the better choice, since you can get a stronghold that secures a stable income every week.

There is also a character called Youshi who also is a thief. (I think)

You will pick up Yoshimo in the dungeon. He is the only pure-class thief in the game, and also the best one. Definitely keep him.

Keeping Minsc or not? Depends on what kind of party you are playing. The best "tank"-character in the game is a dwarf called Korgan...amazing with axes. He is utterly evil, however...and there's a Paladin you will meet later on, Keldorn, who is also a great fighter (with the right sword!). There are lots of choices. Remember that their alignments will clash sometimes...

I say keep Minsc til you find someone you think is better.

I would also say...don't play any more. Please, finish BG1 before this one. It will spoil the entire story...

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Are they dead? Yes. Unlike you they have but one life...and they wasted it for your sake!

OK Drizzt, now where do I find a Wizard? I notice in one of your last posts that you mentioned a level 15 Kensai dual wielding and have it be a level 40 wizard. Which did you start out with first? I have now gotten the portal key to go to the second level. I noticed in the walkthru that I need 3 keys for later on. I have the Wand of Frost and Wand of lightning. What other keys do I need and where do I find them? I noticed some other quests to do on this level; freeing the Genie and dealing with Cambion. Should I do these before I step thru the portal to level 2?

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Keep smiling and the world will smile with you.-------------------

Finding a wizard in Baldur's Gate 2? There is (unfortunately) only one pure-wizard class...and he is evil to the bone. But also the best wizard. He is called Edwin and is in the Docks district of Athkatla. There is also a dual-classed thief/mage called Nalia in the Copper Coronet looking for help (she will give you a quest). In the circus tent of the Promenade, there's multi-classed cleric/mage named Aerie. I never liked her much, though. Not sure if it is because I found her abilities pitiful or because of her whiny attitude...

All those are in the city of Athkatla, though. There are no wizards in the dungeon to help you...you will get to meet them later on.

As for me mentioning that...well, one of the most (if not the most) powerful dual-classed characters one can play is a kensai/mage. A kensai is an extremely good fighter with only one drawback; he/she cannot wear armour. However, at level 15 or so, I dual-class this character to a wizard...when this wizard reaches level 15, he/she gains access to the Kensai's abilities as well...which means I can cast powerful spells and act as a warrior, too. And by the end of Throne of Bhaal, such a character is virtually unstoppable. But fun to play.

The wand keys? I don't know their locations from my head, but search every bookcase and container you find. There are six or so of them, and they are used for disabling traps in a great hall further on.

And yes, do the Genie and Cambion quests before moving on. You cannot return to this level afterwards, if I remember correctly.

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Are they dead? Yes. Unlike you they have but one life...and they wasted it for your sake!

Here is what I have done so far. I started Chapter 2 and went to the the Copper Coronet. Talked to Nalia and sent her on ahead to the fighter stronghold. Talked to Lehtinan to start this quest. I freed Kendak and followed him back to the inn where he killed Lehtinan. Then I got the quest to free the slaves from Kendak. This will be inside the Slavers compound. Should I go thru the sewers to get to the exit there or go directly to the beached ship in the Slums? While I am in the sewers I will do the Sentient sword quest to get that sword. At what point should I pickup Korgan to do his quest? What do I have to do to get the Windspar Hills to show up on my map to finish the Dryad quest? Then, when do I go to the fighter compound to do that quest? My party is presently at the Inn.

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Keep smiling and the world will smile with you.-------------------

You can enter the sewers from the Copper Coronet and do the sword quest first, then from there go into the slaver ship. Make sure you rest and select good spells just before you go up the stairs from the sewers into the ship area -- there's a fight just inside.

Any quest area that is not in the city itself will not show up until you have left the city through the City Gate. It's a bit difficult to find the actual exit spot -- but if you go to the Gate area, it is at the very top.

You should pickup korgan...whenever you feel like it. You can do it at any time, since the catacombs are not locked or any such thing. However, there are some tough enemies and lots of traps down there, so go prepared.

You will need to speak to Lord Firkraag in the CC before Windspear Hills will show up on your map. He will hire you to cleanse it from monsters that has been plaguing his lands.

As far as I know, there are very few time-limits on the quests. Supposedly, Korgan will leave after a long while if you don't pick up his book...never had it happen myself, though. He grumbles a lot about it, but I've never had him leave. As for the rest of the quests, the "time" factor is just there to stress you and make it seem a bit more believable...as far as I know there aren't any limits. So take it easy.

I suggest doing Nalia's quest with her Keep the first. It's a good quest to start with outside the city, and suitable for a fresh party. That, or the slavers quest.

Good luck!

P.S. It doesn't really matter if you go through the sewers or the front door...the end result will be the same...but the only way to ge the sentient sword (Lilarcor) is to go by the sewers and do the quest there.

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Are they dead? Yes. Unlike you they have but one life...and they wasted it for your sake!